Device for use in measuring and/or analysing at least one parameter of an external body portion

ABSTRACT

A device ( 1 ) for use in measuring and/or analyzing at least one parameter of an external portion of a body comprises at least one surface ( 3 ) configured to be placed in the vicinity of said external portion. The device is either a) configured to be able to be modeled over said external portion and made of a material comprising inorganic material, or b) configured to not be able to be modeled over said external portion and made essentially of at least, one inorganic material. When the device ( 1 ) is configured to not be able to be modeled, and when material defining the surface ( 3 ) is not in at least one of a fibrous form and a particulate form, the surface comprises an inorganic material other than glass.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for use in measuringand/or analyzing at least one parameter of an external portion of abody, such as, for example, the skin, the nails, and/or the hair.Information relating to the parameter may be useful for prescribingand/or determining the effectiveness of various cosmetic treatments ofthe external portion.

[0002] When the external body portion includes skin, the externalportion may include skin which has been completely or partiallyreconstructed artificially.

[0003] In such an example, the measurement and/or analysis may takeplace at any moment during the process of reconstruction of the skin.The measurement and/or analysis may be conducted for the purpose ofdetermining certain physicochemical characteristics of the skin, forexample.

[0004] By way of non-limiting examples, such a device may be used todetermine the condition of the stratum corneum, and/or to analyze thesecretions, excretions, or odors present at the surface of the skinand/or the hair. The device may further be used to analyze thebioanalytical, bacteriological, and/or enzymatic content of the skin,the nails, and/or the hair.

[0005] The substances which may be sampled by the device according tothe invention may be in solid form (e.g., dead skin cells, haircuticles, surface of nails), liquid form (e.g., sebum, water) and/orgaseous form (e.g., volatile and/or odorant compounds).

[0006] Such a device may also be used for evaluating mechanicalproperties of the skin, such as, for example, softness, elasticityand/or microrelief. The microrelief may be characterized, for example,by the number and/or the depth of the wrinkles, includingmicro-wrinkles, present at the surface of the skin. In a furtherexample, the microrelief may be characterized by the density and/or thesize of the pores of the skin.

[0007] It is known practice to use sampling devices, such as those inthe form of “scrapers” or adhesive elements, intended, for example, tosample dead skin cells at the surface of the skin. Many such devices aremade of plastic.

[0008] The drawback of conventional devices comes from the fact thatsome analyses, in particular those involving high temperatures and/orhigh pressures, cannot be carried out directly on these devices becauseof their inability to withstand such extreme temperatures and/orpressures.

[0009] For example, extreme temperature conditions may be encountered ingas-phase chromatography, where the temperature to which the sample issubjected may range up to 450° C., or even 500° C. High pressureconditions may be encountered in liquid-phase chromatography, where thepressure may range up to 150 bar.

[0010] These analysis techniques may be used to qualify and/or quantifyone or more elements sampled by the conventional sampling devices.Because the conventional sampling devices may not be able to withstandthe analyses, it is often necessary to transfer the sampled substancesto a suitable support or into a suitable container that is able towithstand the conditions of elevated temperature and/or pressure. Thesampled substances may be transferred by suction, for example, or byother mechanical, physical, and/or chemical means.

[0011] This results in tedious manipulations which may cause the loss ofpart of the substances sampled. Consequently, the measurement may beimprecise.

[0012] In addition, the inability of conventional devices to withstandextreme conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure) or conditions linked toan aggressive chemical environment, makes them difficult to clean underconditions such that they may be reliably reused.

[0013] Still further, a large number of conventional devices maycomprise impurities, such as adhesives, for example, liable to interferewith the measurement.

[0014] The above problems are associated with the device described inpatent application FR-A-2 667 778. This device makes it possible tocirculate a liquid over the skin for the purpose of recovering elementspresent on the skin's surface. The device comprises joining piecesintended to connect the device to an inlet pipe and to an outlet pipefor the liquid. The device is preferably made of plastic. Othermaterials, such as ceramic, are mentioned as materials which may beused. However, such a device, when the joining pieces are bonded, cannotbe subjected to pressure and temperature conditions as described above,due to the inability of the adhesive to withstand such conditions.

[0015] Other conventional devices make it possible to sample fattysubstances, such as sebum, present on the hair or at the surface of theskin. For example, patent FR-A-2 368 708 describes the use of a groundglass plate to collect sebum, in particular at the surface of anindividual's forehead. The drawback of glass in its solid form relatesto the fact that, even when ground, its surface is not rough enough toensure sufficient trapping of the substances sampled by the surfacebrought into contact with the portion of skin to be examined. Thus, forexample, if dead skin cells were sampled with a glass plate, even aground glass plate, a large number of these cells would fall off when itwas transported between the site at which the sample is taken and thetreatment unit in which the device is analyzed. In addition,accidentally passing a finger over the surface of the glass would alsocause a large number of the elements sampled to be removed.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,214 describes a device intended to quantifythe fat and/or the water present at the surface of the skin. Accordingto that document, the device consists of a fine layer of silicon dioxide(SiO₂) deposited by printing onto a colored substrate made of paper orPVC. When the layer of SiO₂ is in contact with water or fat, it becomestransparent, allowing the color of the substrate to appear.

[0017] Such a device, due in particular to the nature of the substrate,and of any other organic element of which it is at least partly made,cannot be subjected to analyses involving high temperature and/orpressure conditions.

[0018] The same is true for the device described in U.S. Pat. No.5,958,339.

[0019] Document WO 89/04630 describes a sampling device in the form of asolid element which, according to a preferred embodiment, comprises atrapping material (which may be inorganic) impregnated on a supportwhich may be made of fabric, or of perforated or porous plastic, such asTEFLON. Once again, such a device cannot withstand temperature andpressure conditions as explained above.

[0020] The same is true for the device described in U.S. Pat. No.4,819,645. According to that document, the structure acting as a“trapper” of substances to be sampled consists of a “liquid transfermedium” and a reservoir material dispersed in the “liquid transfermedium”. The latter is in the form of an organic gel, such as agarose orPVA. This once again results in a structure incapable of withstandingthe pressure and temperature conditions mentioned above.

[0021] The present invention may fully or partially obviate one or morelimitations of the related art.

[0022] The present invention is described by referring to a number ofaspects and embodiments. It should be understood that these aspects andembodiments are exemplary and that the invention could be practicedwithout necessarily having all of the features of the aspects andembodiments described herein.

[0023] One aspect of the invention relates to a device that may be usedboth to sample the substance or substances representative of theparameter to be evaluated, and to directly analyze the substancessampled.

[0024] Another aspect of the invention relates to a device capable ofwithstanding extreme conditions, such as temperature and/or pressure, asencountered, for example, in gas-phase chromatography and/orliquid-phase chromatography devices, or as required so as to allow it tobe satisfactorily cleaned.

[0025] Yet another aspect relates to a device which may be thoroughlycleaned for the purpose of being reused.

[0026] In one aspect, a device for use in measuring and/or analyzing atleast one parameter of an external portion of a body may comprise atleast one surface configured to be placed in the vicinity of saidexternal portion, wherein said device is either a) configured to be ableto be modeled over said external portion and made of a materialcomprising inorganic material, or b) configured to not be able to bemodeled over said external portion and made essentially of at least oneinorganic material, wherein when the device is configured to not be ableto be modeled, and when material defining the surface is not in at leastone of a fibrous form and a particulate form, the surface comprises aninorganic material other than glass.

[0027] The at least one parameter may be selected from biologicalparameters, mechanical parameters, chemical parameters, andphysicochemical parameters. Further, the external portion of the bodymay be selected from the skin, the nails, and the hair.

[0028] As used herein, “in the vicinity of” means in contact with or inthe immediate area of, such as, for example, proximate to or oppositeto. Thus, in the case of an analysis by sampling, the surface may bebrought into contact with (e.g., placed up against) the external portionto be analyzed when liquid and/or solid substances are sampled. Forsubstances in the gaseous phase, sampling may take place either with orwithout contact between the device and the external portion. Forexample, it may be possible to carry out the sampling of certainsubstances even when the surface of the device is maintained at a shortdistance from the external portion.

[0029] As used herein, “made essentially of at least one inorganicmaterial” relates to a structure comprising no material other than oneor more inorganic materials. It is noted that the device may bereversibly coupled to an auxiliary member, such as, for example, agripping member, an entrainment member, a rotary member, a measuringmember and/or an attaching member, wherein the auxiliary member may bemade of materials other than inorganic materials.

[0030] When any accessories and instruments that may accompany thedevice are separated from the device, the device “made essentially of atleast one inorganic material” comprises no material other than inorganicmaterial. Materials other than inorganic materials may interfere with ameasurement and/or analysis carried out on the device after itsapplication to the external portion or may make the device unsuitablefor extreme temperature and/or extreme pressure conditions to which itmay be subjected, for example, for the purpose of analysis and/or ofcleaning.

[0031] The device may be attached, by reversible bonding, for example,to an adhesive support so that the device may be maintained on the skin,for example, for a longer period of time. The adhesive may be configuredsuch that it adheres more to the support than to the device, so that thedevice may be separated from the support without leaving any adhesive onthe device. The device may then undergo an analysis where the device issubjected to extreme temperature and/or extreme pressure conditions.

[0032] In one embodiment, when material defining the surface is not inat least one of a fibrous form and a particulate form, the surface maycomprise an inorganic material other than metal.

[0033] In another embodiment, in particular when the device isconfigured to not be able to be modeled, the device may have an averagethickness of greater than 0.055 mm. In a further embodiment, the devicemay have an average thickness of greater than 0.1 mm. In a still furtherembodiment, the device may have an average thickness of greater than 0.5mm. In yet another embodiment, the device may have an average thicknessof greater than 1 mm. In a further embodiment, the device may have anaverage thickness of greater than 2 mm.

[0034] As used herein, “able to be modeled” means capable of beingshaped so as to closely match the profile of the external portion to beanalyzed when the device is placed up against said external portion, andof maintaining said profile when it is separated from said externalportion, so as to form an imprint of said external portion. Stiffeningof the material may occur in particular at ambient temperature.

[0035] When the device is not in a form able to be modeled, it may beobtained by machining, molding, and/or compacting.

[0036] In one aspect, the device may be heat resistant and/or pressureresistant. Such a device may be configured to not be able to be modeled.

[0037] As used herein, “heat resistant” means capable of withstanding atemperature of at least 200° C. In one embodiment, the device may alsobe capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 400° C.

[0038] As used herein, “pressure resistant” means capable ofwithstanding a pressure of at least 20 bar. In one embodiment, thedevice may also be capable of withstanding a pressure of at least 50bar. In a further embodiment, the device may also be capable ofwithstanding a pressure of at least 100 bar.

[0039] In one aspect, the device may be configured as a single layerstructure.

[0040] In another aspect, the device may be made of a ceramic, possiblyconfigured to be able to be modeled, or of an element made of a fibrous,in particular compacted, inorganic material, such as glass wool orrockwool.

[0041] The inorganic material constituting the device, when the deviceis configured to be able to be modeled; may also comprise a ceramicmaterial.

[0042] As used herein, “ceramic” is an inorganic, nonmetallic material,obtained by carrying out a heat treatment during the process for theproduction thereof.

[0043] In one aspect, in particular when the device is configured to notbe able to be modeled, a) the device may be porous so that the devicecan be deeply impregnated with a liquid reagent or with a substance inliquid phase or in gaseous phase liable to be present at the surface ofthe external portion, and/or b) the surface may be rough so as to beable to abrade solid substances from the external portion and to retainsaid solid substances inside cavities formed between protrusions on saidsurface.

[0044] Solid substances which may be present at the surface of the skin,the hair, and/or the nails include, for example, dead skin cells,cuticles, and dandruff.

[0045] The roughness of the surface may correspond to that of anabrasive surface having a grain size ranging from about P 12 to about P2 500, as defined by the ISO. 6344-1, ISO 6344-2, and ISO 6344-3standards.

[0046] At the time of a sampling, using the abrasive properties of thesurface of the device, the device may be placed up against the externalportion, for example, the skin, and moved over the external portion byrotation or by translation.

[0047] The roughness may result from the presence of suitable raisedfeatures present on the surface. In one example, the raised featurescomprise diamonds distributed evenly over the surface. Thus, for anelement in the form of a ceramic disk 2 mm thick and 15 mm in diameter,for example, the maximum height of the raised features may be on theorder of 1 mm.

[0048] By way of example, a disk provided by the company St GOBAIN,under the reference AF997, has been used. By rotating such a structureplaced up against the skin, it has been possible to recover between 250μg and 400 μg of stratum corneum. The rate of rotation of the samplingelement was between approximately 50 and 70 rpm.

[0049] The liquid or volatile substances present at the surface of theexternal portion may be substances which are lipophilic or hydrophilicin nature. They may include, for example, sebum and water.

[0050] Satisfactory tests have been carried out with structures in theform of alumina disks having various porosities, including, for example,porosities of 10%, 20% and 35%. Such disks were provided by the companySt GOBAIN, under the references 054999, 055000, 100360 and 100370. Inthese tests, the ceramic disk was brought into contact with the skin ofthe forehead for 10 minutes. The disk was then immersed in a solvent(dichloromethane/methanol). The amount of sebum collected wasapproximately 80 μg. After concentration, an aliquot portion of thesample was injected into a chromatograph for the purpose of assayingcholesterol and squalene.

[0051] The measurement and/or analysis may involve recording at leastone magnitude, image, strength, and/or electrical current obtained inresponse to bringing the device into static or dynamic contact with theexternal portion to be analyzed.

[0052] Alternatively, the measurement and/or analysis may involvesampling substances in liquid, solid, and/or gaseous form, such as, forexample, volatile and/or odorant phases, secretions and/or excretionsproduced by sebaceous or sweat glands, and/or dead skin cells, presentat the surface of the external portion.

[0053] In a further alternative, the measurement and/or analysis mayinvolve a change in state, for example, a change in color, of reagentscontained in the device, when the latter is placed in the vicinity ofthe external portion.

[0054] With the device according to the invention, it may be possible tohave information regarding mechanical, biochemical, bacteriological,enzymatic, and/or analytical parameters of the external portion. It alsomay be possible to make corresponding assessments.

[0055] The device, while it is being brought into contact with theexternal portion, or after it has been brought into static and/ordynamic contact with the external portion, may be the subject of variousanalyses. This may be a simple observation of the device, which may makeit possible to see what has been sampled at the surface of the skin, orto observe a change in state, for example, a change in color, of areagent contained in the device.

[0056] Such an observation may be carried out by any optical ormicroscopic means. The analysis may be carried out in particular withthe naked eye, using a microscope, or using an image analyzer. Othermeans may also be used.

[0057] Thus, for example, the level of acidity of the skin may beevaluated by observing the color of the device, resulting from thechange in color of a reagent contained in the device. Alternatively orin addition, the degree of dryness of the skin may be evaluated bycounting the dead skin cells sampled and/or by evaluating their size.

[0058] Similarly, after the analytical device has been placed in thevicinity of the external portion (e.g., brought into contact with orplaced opposite the skin or the hair for a sufficient period of time),the analytical device according to the invention may be subjected to UV,fluorescent, infrared and/or Raman spectrophotometric observation means.Such observation means are particularly suitable for analyzing pieces ofstratum corneum sampled by the analytical device. Other observations mayalso be conducted.

[0059] Alternatively, a direct analysis may be carried out using atleast one of a normal or reverse gas-phase chromatograph and a normal orreverse liquid-phase chromatograph. The device may also be subjected toX-ray examination for elemental analysis. Such examinations inparticular may make it possible to obtain mappings of the analyticalparameters of the stratum corneum, for example.

[0060] The device may also be used to collect bacteria present on theexternal portion, such as the skin, for example, for the purpose ofdetermining the bacterial “equipment” of an individual. In thisprocedure, application of the device to the skin for a predeterminedperiod of time may be followed by seeding onto a culture medium.

[0061] The same procedure may be carried out to assess the enzymecontent of the external portion. In this procedure, a rough face of theceramic may be placed up against the skin, for example, and turned so asto recover some stratum corneum, which will then be the subject of theenzymatic analysis.

[0062] In addition, as described below, the device may be coupled toinstrumentation, such as, for example, a strength sensor, intended tomeasure the strength required to entrain the device according to apredetermined movement when it is in contact with (e.g., placed upagainst) the skin. Mechanical properties of the skin, such as itssoftness, for example, may then be measured. Other properties may alsobe measured.

[0063] Alternatively, such instrumentation may include electrodescapable of measuring the development of certain parameters such as thepH or an electrochemical signal.

[0064] In a further alternative, such instrumentation may compriseelectrodes coupled, for example, to enzymatic biosensors present in thedevice, so as to record signals for the purpose, for example, ofrecording variations in particular parameters.

[0065] When the instrumentation is integrated into the device, inparticular when the device is in the form in which it is configured tonot be able to be modeled, the instrumentation also may be made ofinorganic material, such as, for example, one or more metals capable ofwithstanding high temperature and/or high pressure conditions.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the device is made of a nonmetallicinorganic material, with the exception of these sensors and/or otheraccessory means optionally integrated into the device.

[0067] The form of the device may be chosen as a function of theanalysis to be carried out and of the surface to be examined. The devicemay be made, for example, in the form of a block, a disk, one or moreslides, or a sheet. In one aspect, the device may have a thicknessranging from about 0.055 mm to about 20 mm, such as from about 0.5 mm toabout 10 mm. In another aspect, the device may have a thickness rangingfrom 0.055 mm to 20 mm, such as from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.

[0068] The device may be configured in flexible or nonflexible formdepending on the profile of the external portion to which the device isintended to be applied.

[0069] In one aspect, the device may be configured in the form of a diskhaving a diameter ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm, such as fromabout 5 mm to about 30 mm. In another aspect, the device may beconfigured in the form of a disk having a diameter ranging from 0.5 mmto 50 mm, such as from 5 mm to 30 mm.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the device may be porous. In afurther embodiment, the device may contain at least one reagent capableof reacting with at least one substance present at the surface of saidexternal portion, or in the proximity of the surface of said externalportion. In a still further embodiment, the reagent may be sensitive toat least one of pH, urea, aqueous ammonia, albumin, sugar, lipids, andlactic acid.

[0071] In one aspect, the device may be reusable. Thus, after being usedfor an analysis, the device may be cleaned by means of suitable heatand/or chemical treatment for the purpose of further use.

[0072] In another aspect, the device may further comprise at least onesensor intended in particular to demonstrate at least one parameter, inparticular at least one biochemical parameter and/or at least onemechanical parameter, of said external portion. The at least onebiochemical parameter may be selected from protease, phosphatase,catalase, esterase, and glucosidase. Further, the at least onemechanical parameter may be selected from softness, elasticity, andmicrorelief.

[0073] The sensor may be coupled or may be configured to be coupled toat least one of an integrating device and a recording device. Other dataacquisition and data storage equipment may also be used.

[0074] In one aspect, the device may comprise a machinable ceramic. In afurther aspect, the device may be made of a ceramic based on at leastone of graphite, silica, alumina, titanium dioxide, iron trioxide,calcium oxide, potassium dioxide, and sodium oxide.

[0075] In another aspect, the device may be made of a moldable ceramicmaterial, possibly able to be modeled at ambient temperature. In yetanother aspect, the moldable ceramic material may be based on at leastone of molten silica, zirconium oxide, silicon carbide, and alumina.

[0076] Thus, like a modeling clay, the moldable ceramic material may beapplied to the external portion, for example, the skin, and made tomatch the profile thereof. Such a material may stiffen at ambienttemperature. After stiffening, the device may be moved from the vicinityof the external portion. An image of the microrelief of the skin, and inparticular of the wrinkles, micro-wrinkles, and/or pores present at thesurface of the skin, may be observed on the surface of the device thatwas brought into contact with the skin. The image thus transferred maythen be the subject of optical observation and/or of image analysis.Other analyses may also be performed.

[0077] When the device is configured to be able to be modeled, thedevice also or alternatively may be the subject of analyses involvingextreme temperature and/or pressure conditions.

[0078] According to another aspect of the invention, a method forselecting a cosmetic treatment to be applied to an external portion of abody, in particular the skin, the nails, or the hair may compriseselecting at least one cosmetic product to be applied to said externalportion, wherein the at least one cosmetic product may be selected basedon the result of analysis and/or measurement of at least one parameterof said external portion, the result being obtained by using the deviceaccording to the present invention. The method may further compriseprescribing the at least one cosmetic product to an individual.

[0079] As used herein, “cosmetic product” means any substance orpreparation intended to be brought into contact with the varioussuperficial parts of the human body (e.g., epidermis, body hair and hairsystem, nails, lips, external genital organs) or with the teeth and thebuccal mucosa, for the exclusive or main purpose of cleansing them, orof giving them a fragrant smell, of modifying their appearance, and/orof correcting body odors, and/or of protecting them, and/or ofmaintaining them in good condition. (As set forth in cosmetic directive76/768/EEC amended).

[0080] By way of nonlimiting examples, cosmetic products may include anyproduct intended to reduce the signs of aging of the skin (e.g.,wrinkles) and/or the hair; to moisturize the skin; to cleanse, tonourish, and/or to maintain the skin and/or the hair; to deodorize theskin; to prepare the skin for exposure to the sun; to reinforce theelasticity of the skin; and/or to enhance the softness of the skin.

[0081] As used herein, “cosmetic treatment” means any treatment by meansof a cosmetic product as defined above.

[0082] In one aspect, a method of cosmetic treatment of an externalportion of a body, in particular the skin, the nails, or the hair, maycomprise measuring and/or analyzing at least one parameter of saidexternal portion, wherein said measuring and/or analyzing comprisesusing the device of the present invention, and depending on the resultof said measuring and/or analyzing, applying, to said external portion,at least one cosmetic product intended to have a beneficial action onsaid parameter.

[0083] In another aspect, a method for determining the effectiveness ofa cosmetic treatment applied to an external portion of a body, inparticular the skin, the nails, or the hair, may comprise measuringand/or analyzing at least one parameter of said external portion,wherein said measuring and/or analyzing comprises using the device ofthe present invention, depending on the result of said measuring and/oranalyzing, performing at least one application, to said externalportion, of at least one cosmetic product intended to have a beneficialaction on said parameter, and measuring and/or analyzing said parameteragain, wherein said measuring and/or analyzing said parameter againcomprises using said device.

[0084] If, after measuring and/or analyzing said parameter again, theresults are nonexistent or insufficient, a different cosmetic treatmentmay be prescribed, in addition to or as a replacement for the firstcosmetic treatment.

[0085] Application of the analytical and/or measuring device to theexternal portion may be done directly by the individual to be tested.Further, the application may be conducted at the individual's home, at asales outlet, or in a specialized center, for example, at a beautysalon. Other locations may also be used.

[0086] When the device is to be “read” by visual analysis, such as, forexample, for the purpose of detecting a simple change in color, the“reading” may be done directly by said individual. Such a reading can befacilitated by providing a colored scale with the device.

[0087] The individual may then, by any means, pass the observed resulton to a professional, either present at the place where the analysis iscarried out, or in a remote location. The professional may establish adiagnosis and, where appropriate, may select a cosmetic treatmentintended to have an action on the parameter which was the subject of theanalysis.

[0088] The “reading” of the device can also be done by a professional.The professional may be present at the testing location, such as, forexample, a sales outlet or a specialized center. Alternatively, theprofessional may be in a location remote from the testing location.

[0089] In another alternative, when the equipment used to analyze thedevice is more considerable, the individual may place the device in anenvelope and send it to a remote treatment center, where the device maybe “read” and where a diagnosis may be established.

[0090] In yet another alternative, the individual may scan an imageacquired by the device, such as, for example, an image of the relief ofthe skin, and send it to a remote treatment center. The image may besent via a communication network, such as the internet, e-mail, and/orparcel delivery service. One or more professionals associated with theremote treatment center may establish a diagnosis and may prescribe,where appropriate, a cosmetic treatment.

[0091] In a further aspect, a method for analyzing and/or measuring atleast one parameter, in particular biological, mechanical, chemical, orphysicochemical parameter, of an external portion of the body, inparticular the skin, the nails, or the hair, may comprise placing in thevicinity of said external portion the surface of the device of thepresent invention, so as to sample at least one substance in thevicinity of a surface of said external portion, moving the device fromthe vicinity of said external portion (e.g., withdrawing the device fromthe external portion), and conducting at least one of an analysis and ameasurement of the sample, wherein the conducting comprises subjectingthe device to a temperature of at least 200° C. and/or a pressure of atleast 20 bar. The conducting may comprise performing at least one of agas-phase chromatography and a liquid-phase chromatography.

[0092] In a still further aspect, a method of enabling measuring and/oranalyzing of at least one parameter of an external portion of a body maycomprise providing the device of the present invention, removablysecuring an auxiliary member and the device together, and using theauxiliary member to place the device in the vicinity of the externalportion so as to sample at least one substance. The auxiliary elementmay comprise at least one of a gripping element, an entrainment element,and an attaching element.

[0093] The term “providing” is used in a broad sense, and refers to, butis not limited to, making available for use, enabling usage,manufacturing, giving, supplying, obtaining, getting a hold of,acquiring, purchasing, selling, distributing, possessing, making readyfor use, and/or placing in a position ready for use.

[0094] According to an aspect of the invention, a method of enablingmeasuring and/or analyzing of at least one parameter of an externalportion of a body may comprise providing the device of the presentinvention, and placing the device in the vicinity of the externalportion so as to sample a substance.

[0095] In another aspect, the method may further comprise receivinginformation relating to the at least one parameter, wherein receivinginformation comprises at least one of receiving the device and receivingdata from the device.

[0096] In yet another aspect, the method may further comprise moving thedevice from the vicinity of the external portion, and conducting atleast one of an analysis and a measurement of the sample. The conductingmay comprise subjecting the device to a temperature of at least 200° C.and/or a pressure of at least 20 bar. Further, the conducting maycomprise performing at least one of a gas-phase chromatography and aliquid-phase chromatography.

[0097] In yet another aspect, a system for use in measuring and/oranalyzing at least one parameter of an external portion of a body maycomprise the device of the present invention, and an auxiliary memberremovably secured to the device, wherein the auxiliary member isconfigured to enable placement of the device in the vicinity of theexternal portion for sampling at least one parameter of the externalportion. The auxiliary member may comprise at least one of a grippingelement, an entrainment element, and an attaching element.

[0098] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of certain aspects of the invention and are incorporatedin and constitute part of the specification.

[0099]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to anembodiment of the invention;

[0100]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a device according to anotherembodiment of the invention;

[0101]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a device according to yet anotherembodiment of the invention;

[0102]FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating a method of using an embodimentof the device according to the invention; and

[0103]FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating a method of using anotherembodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0104] The analytical device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured in the formof a disk 2 approximately 1 cm in diameter and approximately 4 mm inthickness. The disk is made of a machined ceramic marketed under thecommercial reference 902 by the company COTRONICS®. Such a ceramic ismade up of a mixture of silica, alumina, titanium dioxide, iron dioxide,calcium oxide, potassium dioxide, and sodium oxide.

[0105] The surface 3 of the disk 2 intended to be brought into contactwith the skin is rough such that, by placing the surface against theskin and by moving it relative to the skin, dead skin cells are pulledoff the skin and trapped by the rough surface 3.

[0106] The surface 3 may be moved relative to the skin in a wayillustrated in FIG. 4, i.e., by rotation around an axis X perpendicularto the plane of said surface 3.

[0107] To enable this motion, the measuring device 1 may be mounted, bynonpermanent bonding or by any other reversible means, on a rotarymember 10 coupled to a motor 20.

[0108] Alternatively, the surface 3 of the disk 2 may be moved over thesurface of the skin as shown in FIG. 5, i.e., according to atranslational movement.

[0109] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the ceramic measuring device 1comprises a plurality of biosensors 11-14, each capable of demonstratinga particular biochemical parameter. The biosensors are disposed in thesurface 3 that is intended to be brought into contact with the skin. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the biosensors 11-14 are sensitive toprotease, phosphatase, catalase, and glucosidase, respectively.

[0110] Each one of the sensors 11-14 is connected to a respectiveelectrode 15-18 intended to generate corresponding electrochemicalsignals. The signals generated by the electrodes 15-18 are collected andconverted into digital signals by a recording/decoding device 30connected to a computer 40. This arrangement makes it possible to“monitor” the variations over time of the parameters analyzed.

[0111] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the device 1 comprises a piece ofceramic configured to be able to be modeled, which is applied to theskin and which is matched to the profile of the skin. The ceramicstiffens at ambient temperature. After the device is removed, thesurface 3 which was in contact with the skin comprises the image of thewrinkles or fine lines 50 and of the pores 60 present at the surface ofthe skin. The device is read either visually or by image analysis.

[0112] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the analytical device 1 is made of amoldable ceramic marketed under the reference RESCORE® by the companyCOTRONICS®.

[0113] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the structure andmethodology of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the examples discussed in thespecification. Rather, the present invention is intended to covermodifications and variations.

1. A device for use in measuring and/or analyzing at least one parameterof an external portion of a body, the device comprising: at least onesurface configured to be placed in the vicinity of said externalportion, wherein said device is either a) configured to be able to bemodeled over said external portion and made of a material comprisinginorganic material, or b) configured to not be able to be modeled oversaid external portion and made essentially of at least one inorganicmaterial, wherein when the device is configured to not be able to bemodeled, and when material defining the surface is not in at least oneof a fibrous form and a particulate form, the surface comprises aninorganic material other than glass.
 2. The device of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one parameter is selected from biological parameters,mechanical parameters, chemical parameters, and physicochemicalparameters.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said external portion ofthe body is selected from the skin, the nails, and the hair.
 4. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein when material defining the surface is not inat least one of a fibrous form and a particulate form, the surfacecomprises an inorganic material other than metal.
 5. The device of claim1, wherein, in particular when the device is configured to not be ableto be modeled, the device has an average thickness of greater than 0.055mm.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein, in particular when the device isconfigured to not be able to be modeled, the device is heat resistantand/or pressure resistant.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the deviceis made of a ceramic, possibly configured to be able to be modeled, orof an element made of a fibrous, in particular compacted, inorganicmaterial, such as glass wool or rockwool.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein, in particular when the device is configured to not be able tobe modeled, a) the device is porous so that the device can be deeplyimpregnated with a liquid reagent or with a substance in liquid phase orin gaseous phase liable to be present at the surface of the externalportion, and/or b) the surface is rough so as to be able to abrade solidsubstances from the external portion and to retain said solid substancesinside cavities formed between protrusions on said surface.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the device has a thickness ranging from about0.055 mm to about 20 mm, such as from about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm. 10.The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured in the form of adisk having a diameter ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm, such asfrom about 5 mm to about 30 mm.
 11. The device of claim 8, wherein thedevice is porous.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the devicecontains at least one reagent capable of reacting with at least onesubstance present at the surface of said external portion, or in theproximity of the surface of said external portion.
 13. The device ofclaim 12, wherein said reagent is sensitive to at least one of pH, urea,aqueous ammonia, albumin, sugar, lipids, and lactic acid.
 14. The deviceof claim 8, wherein the roughness of the surface corresponds to that ofan abrasive surface having a grain size ranging from about P 12 to aboutP 2
 500. 15. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least onesensor intended in particular to demonstrate at least one parameter, inparticular at least one biochemical parameter and/or at least onemechanical parameter, of said external portion.
 16. The device of claim15, wherein the at least one biochemical parameter is selected fromprotease, phosphatase, catalase, esterase, and glucosidase.
 17. Thedevice of claim 15, wherein the at least one mechanical parameter isselected from softness, elasticity, and microrelief.
 18. The device ofclaim 15, wherein the device is made of a moldable ceramic material,possibly able to be modeled at ambient temperature.
 19. The device ofclaim 18, wherein the moldable ceramic material is based on at least oneof molten silica, zirconium oxide, silicon carbide, and alumina.
 20. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the device is made of a ceramic based on atleast one of graphite, silica, alumina, titanium dioxide, iron trioxide,calcium oxide, potassium dioxide, and sodium oxide.
 21. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the device is configured to not be able to be modeledover said external portion.
 22. The device of claim 1, wherein thedevice is configured to be able to be modeled over said externalportion.
 23. The device of claim 22, wherein the device comprises amoldable ceramic material.
 24. The device of claim 23, wherein themoldable ceramic material is configured to be able to be modeled atambient temperature.
 25. The device of claim 1, wherein the device isconfigured as a single layer structure.
 26. The device of claim 1,wherein the device is reusable.
 27. A method for selecting a cosmetictreatment to be applied to an external portion of a body, in particularthe skin, the nails, or the hair, said method comprising selecting atleast one cosmetic product to be applied to said external portion,wherein the at least one cosmetic product is selected based on theresult of analysis and/or measurement of at least one parameter of saidexternal portion, the result being obtained by using the device ofclaim
 1. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising prescribing theat least one cosmetic product to an individual.
 29. A method of cosmetictreatment of an external portion of a body, in particular the skin, thenails, or the hair, said method comprising: measuring and/or analyzingat least one parameter of said external portion, wherein said measuringand/or analyzing comprises using the device of claim 1; and depending onthe result of said measuring and/or analyzing, applying, to saidexternal portion, at least one cosmetic product intended to have abeneficial action on said parameter.
 30. A method for determining theeffectiveness of a cosmetic treatment applied to an external portion ofa body, in particular the skin, the nails, or the hair, said methodcomprising: measuring and/or analyzing at least one parameter of saidexternal portion, wherein said measuring and/or analyzing comprisesusing the device of claim 1; depending on the result of said measuringand/or analyzing, performing at least one application, to said externalportion, of at least one cosmetic product intended to have a beneficialaction on said parameter; and measuring and/or analyzing said parameteragain, wherein said measuring and/or analyzing said parameter againcomprises using said device.
 31. A method for analyzing and/or measuringat least one parameter, in particular biological, mechanical, chemical,or physicochemical parameter, of an external portion of the body, inparticular the skin, the nails, or the hair, the method comprising:placing in the vicinity of said external portion the surface of thedevice of claim 1, so as to sample at least one substance in thevicinity of a surface of said external portion; moving the device fromthe vicinity of said external portion; and conducting at least one of ananalysis and a measurement of the sample, wherein the conductingcomprises subjecting the device to a temperature of at least 200° C.and/or a pressure of at least 20 bar.
 32. The method of claim 31,wherein the conducting comprises performing at least one of a gas-phasechromatography and a liquid-phase chromatography.
 33. A method ofenabling measuring and/or analyzing of at least one parameter of anexternal portion of a body, the method comprising: providing the deviceof claim 1; removably securing an auxiliary member and the devicetogether; and using the auxiliary member to place the device in thevicinity of the external portion so as to sample at least one substance.34. The method of claim 33, wherein the auxiliary element comprises atleast one of a gripping element, an entrainment element, and anattaching element.
 35. A method of enabling measuring and/or analyzingof at least one parameter of an external portion of a body, the methodcomprising: providing the device of claim 1; and placing the device inthe vicinity of the external portion so as to sample at least onesubstance.
 36. The method of claim 35, further comprising receivinginformation relating to the at least one parameter, wherein receivinginformation comprises at least one of receiving the device and receivingdata from the device.
 37. The method of claim 35, further comprising:moving the device from the vicinity of the external portion; andconducting at least one of an analysis and a measurement of the sample.38. The method of claim 37, wherein the conducting comprises subjectingthe device to a temperature of at least 200° C. and/or a pressure of atleast 20 bar.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the conductingcomprises performing at least one of a gas-phase chromatography and aliquid-phase chromatography.
 40. A system for use in measuring and/oranalyzing at least one parameter of an external portion of a body, thesystem comprising: the device of claim 1; and an auxiliary memberremovably secured to the device, wherein the auxiliary member isconfigured to enable placement of the device in the vicinity of theexternal portion for sampling at least one parameter of the externalportion.
 41. The system of claim 40, wherein the auxiliary elementcomprises at least one of a gripping element, an entrainment element,and an attaching element.